Everton News

Centre-back set for season loan

Another loan move is being lined up for Shane Duffy, who is set to play for Ireland's U-21 side against Austria in Sligo tonight.
"There's not much point in staying at Everton with four quality centre-backs ahead of me and the manager David Moyes wants me getting more experience. I made my Everton debut quite young (at 17) but a couple of games doesn't mean you've made it. I really need a full season of playing games to mature properly as a player."

Last season proved tough for Duffy to get back to full match fitness, just three months after undergoing life-saving surgery for a lacerated liver sustained while playing a practice match for Ireland's senior squad.

Still, he was left disappointed that his loan spell at Burnley last season was restricted to just one outing. To compound matters, he was axed from the Irish U-19 squad that progressed all the way to the European
Championship semi-finals last month.

"I didn't regain the fitness levels I had before the injury and my performances weren't good at all.

"Burnley was the right club to go on loan to, but maybe at the wrong time. I played the full match (against Ipswich) but didn't get in after that."

He added: "The Ireland U-19s turned out to be a real disappointment too. I don't think the manager (Paul Doolin) really fancied me. I felt I was playing well enough (to be picked) but he chooses the squad."